CLEVELAND -- There was an attempted robbery Monday afternoon at an area pet store, police say.

Police said the owner of Cleveland Aviary, located on Bosworth and Thrush avenues on Cleveland's west side, shot and killed the robber with a handgun.

Images: Store Owner Shoots, Kills Robber

Cleveland police Lt. Thomas Stacho said a man came in around 2:30 p.m. with a knife, demanding money. The man was told to leave but when he refused the store owner got a gun and shot him.

The coroner has identified the victim as 26-year-old Joseph Joplin.

Neighbors said the owner of the store has chased away robbers before.

An elementary school is located across the street from where the shooting occurred, but officials said the students did not witness what happened and were dismissed from the back door.

However, counselors will be on hand at the school on Tuesday in case any students need to talk about the incident.